Seagate sells old hard drives as new - Revision history

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 3 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T07:39:25Z

Added archive URLs for 3 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:39, 23 February 2026
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	== Details ==		== Details ==
	Customers who purchased Seagate ''Exos'' series hard drives from several different online retailers, including [[Amazon]], JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop, reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>		Customers who purchased Seagate ''Exos'' series hard drives from several different online retailers, including [[Amazon]], JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop, reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260207163847/https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Archived])</ref>

	Upon inspection by users, these drives showed thousands of operating hours, suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for 10,000 to 50,000 hours, confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.		Upon inspection by users, these drives showed thousands of operating hours, suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for 10,000 to 50,000 hours, confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.
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	A consumer who purchased two ST14000NM005G (14TB) drives found they had already been used for 10,000 to 15,000 hours. A replacement order for ST16000NM001G (16TB) drives revealed even worse results: 22,000 operational hours.<ref name="heise-online-report" />		A consumer who purchased two ST14000NM005G (14TB) drives found they had already been used for 10,000 to 15,000 hours. A replacement order for ST16000NM001G (16TB) drives revealed even worse results: 22,000 operational hours.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools]		[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260211105514/https://www.smartmontools.org/ Archived])

	=== Manufacturer warranty checks ===		=== Manufacturer warranty checks ===
	Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were redirected to contact their retailer. This shows that these were OEM models, which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check]</ref>		Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were redirected to contact their retailer. This shows that these were OEM models, which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260222084210/https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Archived])</ref>

	== Responsibility and supply-chain concerns<!-- this whole section comes on a bit strong, with relatively little in the way of citation --> ==		== Responsibility and supply-chain concerns<!-- this whole section comes on a bit strong, with relatively little in the way of citation --> ==

Bythmusters: added cargo

2026-02-03T03:01:52Z

added cargo

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:01, 3 February 2026
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			{{IncidentCargo
			\|Company=Seagate
			\|StartDate=
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=
			\|ProductLine=Seagate Exos
			\|Product=
			\|ArticleType=
			\|Type=Deceptive Advertising, Poor Quality
			\|Description=
			}}
	Reports from consumers, as well as investigations by ''Heise Online'',<ref name="heise-online-report" /> describe an issue where used and refurbished [[Seagate]] hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed and priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself, though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.		Reports from consumers, as well as investigations by ''Heise Online'',<ref name="heise-online-report" /> describe an issue where used and refurbished [[Seagate]] hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed and priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself, though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: AnotherConsumerRightsPerson moved page Misrepresented sales of used Seagate hard drives as new to Seagate sells old hard drives as new: Mainly because if you look up Seagate you’ll see this too.

2025-10-13T15:17:16Z

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson moved page Misrepresented sales of used Seagate hard drives as new to Seagate sells old hard drives as new: Mainly because if you look up Seagate you’ll see this too.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 13 October 2025
(No difference)

McCracken: added this article to the Seagate category.

2025-07-13T17:22:00Z

added this article to the Seagate category.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 13 July 2025
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

			[[Category:Seagate]]

Mingyee: Proofreading

2025-01-29T22:32:39Z

Proofreading

Show changes

Mingyee: Mingyee moved page Misrepresented Sales of Used Seagate Hard Drives as New to Misrepresented sales of used Seagate hard drives as new without leaving a redirect: Misspelled title: Not in sentence case

2025-01-29T22:24:14Z

Mingyee moved page Misrepresented Sales of Used Seagate Hard Drives as New to Misrepresented sales of used Seagate hard drives as new without leaving a redirect: Misspelled title: Not in sentence case

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 29 January 2025
(No difference)

Keith: /* Seagate’s Role & Supply Chain Gaps */ added comment

2025-01-29T22:21:51Z

Seagate’s Role & Supply Chain Gaps: added comment

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 29 January 2025
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	Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were '''redirected to contact their retailer'''. This shows that these were '''OEM models''', which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check]</ref>		Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were '''redirected to contact their retailer'''. This shows that these were '''OEM models''', which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check]</ref>

	===Responsibility & Supply Chain Concerns===		===Responsibility & Supply Chain Concerns<!-- this whole section comes on a bit strong, with relatively little in the way of citation -->===

	====Seller Fraud====		====Seller Fraud====
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	===Consumer Advice===		===Consumer Advice===

	====How to Check If ~~Your~~ Drive Is Affected====		====How to Check If A Drive Is Affected====
	*'''Run SMART & FARM Checks''' – Use smartmontools (Linux/Windows) or Seagate’s Seatools utility to check for '''high power-on hours'''.		*'''Run SMART & FARM Checks''' – Use smartmontools (Linux/Windows) or Seagate’s Seatools utility to check for '''high power-on hours'''.
	- Linux Command: `smartctl -l farm /dev/sdX`		- Linux Command: `smartctl -l farm /dev/sdX`

Keith: some formatting edits

2025-01-29T22:17:22Z

some formatting edits

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:17, 29 January 2025
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	~~===Summary===~~		Reports from consumers, as well as investigations by ''heise online'', describe an issue where used and refurbished Seagate hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed and priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself; though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.
	~~Recent reports~~ from consumers & investigations by ''heise online'' ~~show~~ an issue where used & refurbished Seagate hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed & priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself; though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.

	[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]		[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]
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	===Details===		===Details===

	~~====Nature of the Issue====~~
	Customers who purchased Seagate Exos-series hard drives from several different online retailers—including '''Amazon, JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop'''—reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>		Customers who purchased Seagate Exos-series hard drives from several different online retailers—including '''Amazon, JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop'''—reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

Karar: name the ref

2025-01-29T21:59:48Z

name the ref

Louis: created seagate article

2025-01-29T21:57:22Z

created seagate article

New page

===Summary===
Recent reports from consumers & investigations by ''heise online'' show an issue where used & refurbished Seagate hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed & priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself; though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.

[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]

===Details===

====Nature of the Issue====
Customers who purchased Seagate Exos-series hard drives from several different online retailers—including '''Amazon, JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop'''—reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

Upon inspection, these drives showed '''thousands of operating hours''', suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for '''10,000 to 50,000 hours''', confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.

====Affected Models====
The primary models affected are:

*'''Seagate Exos X16 (16TB)''' – ST16000NM000J, ST16000NM001G
*'''Seagate Exos X14 (14TB)''' – ST14000NM001G, ST14000NM005G
*'''Seagate Exos X12 (12TB)''' – ST12000NM0127, ST12000NM0558

Additional reports mention '''4TB, 10TB, and 18TB''' drives, as well as certain NAS-specific models.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

====Identifying Used Drives====

=====SMART & FARM Data=====
Many buyers identified the issue using '''SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology)''' and '''FARM (Field Accessible Reliability Metrics)''' values.
*SMART values are sometimes '''reset''' to give the appearance of a new drive.
*FARM logs still '''retain the true operational hours''', exposing the actual usage.

A consumer who purchased two '''ST14000NM005G (14TB)''' drives found they had already been used for '''10,000 to 15,000 hours'''. A replacement order for '''ST16000NM001G (16TB)''' drives revealed even worse results—'''22,000 operational hours'''.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools]

=====Manufacturer Warranty Checks=====
Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were '''redirected to contact their retailer'''. This shows that these were '''OEM models''', which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check]</ref>

===Responsibility & Supply Chain Concerns===

====Seller Fraud====
The primary '''responsibility lies with the sellers''' who misrepresented the drives as new.
*Some retailers sold OEM or '''recertified drives''' but '''failed to disclose this information'''.
*Some drives even exhibited '''physical wear''' such as scratches & missing security labels.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>
*Certain affected vendors have since begun '''accepting returns''', suggesting at least partial acknowledgment of the issue.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

Heise Online conducted an '''undercover test''', ordering two 16TB drives from a suspect retailer. The order was later '''canceled''' by the seller, who admitted that a "quality control check" revealed the drives were '''not actually new'''.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

====Seagate’s Role & Supply Chain Gaps====
While '''Seagate is not directly responsible for seller deception''', concerns remain:
*Seagate acknowledged that '''factory-recertified drives exist''', but they should be '''clearly labeled with a green-bordered sticker'''. Many affected buyers received '''drives without any such indicators'''.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>
*The '''source of these used drives remains unclear'''—it is unknown how these high-hour drives '''re-entered''' the market.
*Seagate states that due to '''data protection policies''', they '''cannot disclose''' the original sale location of the affected drives.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

Even '''official Seagate distributors''' have been caught selling questionable drives, raising concerns about the '''integrity of authorized reseller networks'''.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

===Consumer Impact===

====Financial & Reliability Concerns====
*Consumers '''paid full price''' for drives that had already undergone '''years of usage'''.
*These drives were sold '''without manufacturer-backed warranties''', making returns and replacements difficult.
*Customers relying on these drives for '''data integrity and professional storage solutions''' are at risk of '''premature failures'''.

===Consumer Advice===

====How to Check If Your Drive Is Affected====
*'''Run SMART & FARM Checks''' – Use smartmontools (Linux/Windows) or Seagate’s Seatools utility to check for '''high power-on hours'''.
- Linux Command: `smartctl -l farm /dev/sdX`
- Compare results with `smartctl -a /dev/sdX`
*'''Check Serial Numbers''' – Check warranty status on [https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate’s official website].
*'''Check for Physical Wear''' – Look for '''scratches, missing seals, or inconsistent labels''' that indicate prior use.
*'''Request a Refund''' – If you purchased from an affected retailer, request a '''return or replacement''' based on misrepresentation.

==References==
<references />

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 29 January 2025
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	====Nature of the Issue====		====Nature of the Issue====
	Customers who purchased Seagate Exos-series hard drives from several different online retailers—including '''Amazon, JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop'''—reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref>[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>		Customers who purchased Seagate Exos-series hard drives from several different online retailers—including '''Amazon, JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop'''—reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

	Upon inspection, these drives showed '''thousands of operating hours''', suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for '''10,000 to 50,000 hours''', confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.		Upon inspection, these drives showed '''thousands of operating hours''', suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for '''10,000 to 50,000 hours''', confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.
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	*'''Seagate Exos X12 (12TB)''' – ST12000NM0127, ST12000NM0558		*'''Seagate Exos X12 (12TB)''' – ST12000NM0127, ST12000NM0558

	Additional reports mention '''4TB, 10TB, and 18TB''' drives, as well as certain NAS-specific models.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		Additional reports mention '''4TB, 10TB, and 18TB''' drives, as well as certain NAS-specific models.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	====Identifying Used Drives====		====Identifying Used Drives====
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	*FARM logs still '''retain the true operational hours''', exposing the actual usage.		*FARM logs still '''retain the true operational hours''', exposing the actual usage.

	A consumer who purchased two '''ST14000NM005G (14TB)''' drives found they had already been used for '''10,000 to 15,000 hours'''. A replacement order for '''ST16000NM001G (16TB)''' drives revealed even worse results—'''22,000 operational hours'''.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		A consumer who purchased two '''ST14000NM005G (14TB)''' drives found they had already been used for '''10,000 to 15,000 hours'''. A replacement order for '''ST16000NM001G (16TB)''' drives revealed even worse results—'''22,000 operational hours'''.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools]		[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools]
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	The primary '''responsibility lies with the sellers''' who misrepresented the drives as new.		The primary '''responsibility lies with the sellers''' who misrepresented the drives as new.
	*Some retailers sold OEM or '''recertified drives''' but '''failed to disclose this information'''.		*Some retailers sold OEM or '''recertified drives''' but '''failed to disclose this information'''.
	*Some drives even exhibited '''physical wear''' such as scratches & missing security labels.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte~~-~~Seagate~~-~~Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		*Some drives even exhibited '''physical wear''' such as scratches & missing security labels.<ref name="heise-online-report" />
	*Certain affected vendors have since begun '''accepting returns''', suggesting at least partial acknowledgment of the issue.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte~~-~~Seagate~~-~~Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		*Certain affected vendors have since begun '''accepting returns''', suggesting at least partial acknowledgment of the issue.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	Heise Online conducted an '''undercover test''', ordering two 16TB drives from a suspect retailer. The order was later '''canceled''' by the seller, who admitted that a "quality control check" revealed the drives were '''not actually new'''.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		Heise Online conducted an '''undercover test''', ordering two 16TB drives from a suspect retailer. The order was later '''canceled''' by the seller, who admitted that a "quality control check" revealed the drives were '''not actually new'''.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	====Seagate’s Role & Supply Chain Gaps====		====Seagate’s Role & Supply Chain Gaps====
	While '''Seagate is not directly responsible for seller deception''', concerns remain:		While '''Seagate is not directly responsible for seller deception''', concerns remain:
	*Seagate acknowledged that '''factory-recertified drives exist''', but they should be '''clearly labeled with a green-bordered sticker'''. Many affected buyers received '''drives without any such indicators'''.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		*Seagate acknowledged that '''factory-recertified drives exist''', but they should be '''clearly labeled with a green-bordered sticker'''. Many affected buyers received '''drives without any such indicators'''.<ref name="heise-online-report" />
	*The '''source of these used drives remains unclear'''—it is unknown how these high-hour drives '''re-entered''' the market.		*The '''source of these used drives remains unclear'''—it is unknown how these high-hour drives '''re-entered''' the market.
	*Seagate states that due to '''data protection policies''', they '''cannot disclose''' the original sale location of the affected drives.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		*Seagate states that due to '''data protection policies''', they '''cannot disclose''' the original sale location of the affected drives.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	Even '''official Seagate distributors''' have been caught selling questionable drives, raising concerns about the '''integrity of authorized reseller networks'''.<ref~~>[https://www.~~heise~~.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im~~-~~Umlauf~~-~~10254276.html Heise Online Report]<~~/~~ref~~>		Even '''official Seagate distributors''' have been caught selling questionable drives, raising concerns about the '''integrity of authorized reseller networks'''.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

	===Consumer Impact===		===Consumer Impact===
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	==References==		==References==
	~~<references />~~		{{reflist}}